Toey's expression hardened as he stared at Baramee, irritation flashing in his eyes. The urge to grab the other man by the throat pulsed through him. He'd arranged this afternoon meeting at the park beneath Rama VIII Bridge to discuss the tangled web of three couples' romantic complications. Baramee had listened to him for a long time, but the moment Toey reached his conclusion, the man immediately pushed back.
"You should stop meddling with him. Let him choose his own path. You're only going to make everything more chaotic." Baramee's voice carried an edge of steel.
"It's chaotic because you failed with Wittawin. And now look—you're not succeeding with Pirayu either."
"I don't love Pirayu." Baramee's denial rang out loud and sharp.
"Not yet, maybe. But who knows about later? Can't you see how lovely Pirayu is? Open your heart a little." Toey pressed on, still trying to persuade. "Why won't you just forget Wittawin?"
"Why are you so eager to keep Win from ending up with Teeradon?" Baramee turned to lock eyes with Toey.
"Who says that? I'm helping Khun Don, aren't I?"
"By trying to push me toward Pirayu? By attempting something that's impossible?"
"Then why do you insist on drowning in the past? What's gone is gone. There are new people out there." Toey's voice cracked like a whip.
"Some parts of the past we don't want to forget. Don't want to let go of them." Baramee turned to gaze at the river flowing lazily past, his tone softening. His hand slipped into his pants pocket as he stood motionless.
"But you can't live in the past forever either. I know there are parts of your past you'd erase with every breath if you could. I hope you succeed soon." Toey's voice carried a darker undertone as he turned his back and strode toward his car.
Baramee clenched his teeth, exhaling sharply. The hand in his pocket tightened into a fist before he slowly turned to watch the retreating figure of one of his 'pasts' climbing into the vehicle.
I don't want to forget a past like you either, Toey. Don't misunderstand me like that. I just need time...
***
Wittawin swept his gaze across the barbed wire fence stretched around the wide plot of land, then glanced at his grinning friend beside him before heading back to the car, Pamorn trailing close behind.
"That's all you're going to look at?" Pamorn asked.
"What else is there to see? It's just dirt and grass, plus barbed wire. You want me to analyze it or something? I'm not examining a UFO." Wittawin's response came out flat.
"That mouth of yours," Pamorn shook his head. "A mouth like that deserves to be kissed into submission."
"How much commission are you getting for this, Pamorn? Enough to make you this pushy?"
"None. I just saw you missed out the first time. Now the owner really wants to sell—he's dropped it to the 1.6 million you originally wanted. So I brought you to see it."
"Why does he suddenly want to sell? He only bought it a few months ago, and now he's selling at a four hundred thousand loss from his two million purchase price." Wittawin's voice carried thoughtful suspicion.
"He needs cash fast," Pamorn rushed to explain. "Called me sounding desperate. When he found out this was the plot you wanted, he dropped the price as low as possible. He can't make his payments and needs money urgently. Make a decision, Win. Golden opportunities like this don't come easy, my dear friend."
"I keep thinking about it and still don't know what I'd do with it." Wittawin sighed, looking at the land.
"Build a house like you used to plan."
"I've changed my mind. Renting a condo is comfortable enough. When I get bored, I can always sneak off to sleep at the office." Wittawin shrugged.
"But the owner's in bad shape, Win. He needs money urgently. Don't you feel sorry for him?"
"If he's so eager to sell, let him come talk to us directly." Wittawin shrugged again and started the motorcycle engine. "We'll push the price down to around 1.2 million."
"The man's in trouble and you're still being heartless," Pamorn muttered under his breath. "What, you want him to give it away for free? I'll go negotiate for you."
"Get on the bike, Pamorn. Or do you want to stay and guard the place for the owner?" Wittawin revved impatiently, shooting his friend a sharp look.
...How cruel. Wait until the owner returns from abroad. He'll settle accounts with interest...
***
Pirayu turned to watch the figure stepping out of a car and raised his hand in greeting. Sarayoot smiled broadly from a distance, carrying two bottles of water.
"It is so hot and humid today? I brought you some water. Drink up, it'll cool you down." Sarayoot offered the young man a bottle. "This place is beautiful. Hard to believe it's in the middle of the city. Must cost a fortune. Are you sure about moving the school here?"
"I'm sure. I don't want to get evicted again." Pirayu nodded with confidence in his voice.
"Being too deep in debt to the bank won't work either. Moving a bit further out wouldn't be that much harder. If our school is truly good, parents will send their children to study with us. Soon there'll be housing developments, more people. In a few years, the outskirts will be developed." Sarayoot offered his perspective.
"The landowner was understanding and lowered the price for me." Pirayu smiled slightly, raising the cold bottle to drink.
"What do you mean?" Sarayoot asked.
"Exactly what I said."
"This land belongs to..." Sarayoot's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Don't tell Win," Pirayu met Sarayoot's eyes. "I know I shouldn't have done this, but I'm not so prideful. For my school, and for..."
Pirayu paused for a moment, drawing in a deep breath before continuing, "At least this serves as a reminder that he's close to me."
"Why can't you forget him?"
"It'll be a long time…likely." Pirayu smiled sadly. "When we love someone, it's not like we can just cut our hearts off easily, right, Uncle Yoot? Or would you argue otherwise?"
"No, I won't argue. I know. I understand what you're saying." Sarayoot looked down with a thin smile for Pirayu, then turned to survey the roughly four thousand square meters plot thoughtfully before engaging the other man in conversation about construction blueprints for the school building.
"And you're going to trick Win into installing the computer system cheaply?" Sarayoot asked with a soft laugh.
"Oh, absolutely. I need to save on everything. What I need now is an architect and construction engineer who'll work for a good price."
"I know a friend of a friend who graduated in architecture. I'll contact them for you," Sarayoot offered. "If there's anything else I can help with, just let me know."
"Thank you, Uncle Yoot." Pirayu reached up to pat Sarayoot's arm gently. "Without you, I probably couldn't make this school happen."
"Don't forget Win and Pamorn too."
"And Baramee." Pirayu laughed, then sighed softly. "Sigh... I'm so lucky to have such good friends."
"I'm not just a friend," Sarayoot protested.
"Right, understood. Win's uncle is like my uncle too. So I'll promote you to be an elder uncle, honorary advisor to Pum Pooi Kindergarten."
"Now you're making me sound old. And you don't need to call me uncle—just brother is fine." Sarayoot smiled.
"Yes, Uncle Yoot."
"Hey, why are you still teasing me?" Sarayoot pulled a face, then laughed along with Pirayu before tapping the young man's arm to follow him as they inspected the surrounding area.
As they walked the perimeter together, Pirayu let himself imagine the sound of children's laughter filling this space—a future he'd build on land that kept the past close, even as he tried to move forward.
Sarayoot glanced down at the smaller man beside him. Pirayu seemed fragile from the outside, but he knew the younger man was incredibly strong and determined. Wittawin always pushed him toward Pirayu, hoping they would end up together. Pirayu had been trying to get over Teeradon, and it seemed he would succeed soon. But what about him? Would he soon be able to deal with himself? How difficult would it be to get over Wittawin and Toey and start over with someone... Pirayu?
***